Today, May 18, 2015 the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office took Dr. Richard Johns of Little Rock into custody for 187 counts of Fraudulent Practices a class C felony and he is currently being held at the Lonoke County Detention Center on a no bond until first appearance Tuesday. This investigation first began November of 2014 when detectives responded to an overdose death outside of Cabot. Early in the investigation Detective Clint Eifling and Sergeant Branden Hampton learned that the overdose was suspected to be connected to a fraudulent prescription obtained from Dr. Johns. The sheriff’s office solicited the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Group and began a joint investigation into the doctor and the suspected criminal enterprise headed by the Doctor. During the investigation, it has been determined that 187 fraudulent prescriptions have been filled and distributed within the illicit market in Lonoke County alone. That is approximately 16,830 Oxycodone pills with a street value of $505,000 since July of 2014. Lonoke County is one of several places the fraudulent prescriptions are being filled and distributed. This is an on-going joint investigation with the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office, Central Arkansas Drug Task Force, DEA, FBI, and Arkansas State Police several more arrest are expected in the near future.

This case is one of the best examples of how law enforcement agencies are joining forces to combat the ever growing prescription drug problem in the state of Arkansas. In 2011, Arkansas implemented the Prescription Monitoring Program by Legislative Act 304. This database is assisting law enforcement in conducting criminal investigations against doctors who choose to sell prescriptions within the illicit market in this state.

If anyone has information in relation to this case or Dr. Richard Johns you are asked to call the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office at 501-676-3001 or the DEA Diversion Group at 501-217-6500.